Interests of opposition and the country on opposite path: PM Imran Khan

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that the interests of the opposition parties and the country were on opposite paths after the former shot down two 'critical' bills in Senate related to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The bills were a part of the FATF obligations that are to be fulfilled by Pakistan in order to exit the “grey list” it is currently on.

“Today in Senate the opposition defeated two critical FATF-related bills: Anti Money Laundering and ICT Waqf bills,” PM Imran said in the first post of a thread of Twitter messages.

”From day one I have maintained that the self-serving interests of the opposition leaders and the country's interests are divergent,” he said.

The premier said that as the accountability noose continued to tighten, the Opposition leaders attempted to "save their corrupt money by trying to prevent parliament from functioning”.

The premier said that in a bid to make the Parliament non-functional, the opposition sought to ”undermine government’s effective coronavirus strategy and now [it is] trying to sabotage [Pakistan’s] efforts to exit the FATF grey list".

The premier said that the opposition ”tries to hide behind [the] facade of democracy to protect their loot and plunder”.

”To blackmail for NRO by defanging NAB, they would even have [Pakistan] put on FATF blacklist to destroy [the] nation's economy and increase poverty. They keep threatening to bring down government unless given NRO,” he said.

The premier then went on to unequivocally declare that there will no more concessions for corrupt politicians.

He said that his government would not give an NRO as ”it would be a betrayal of [the] nation's trust in holding plunderers of public wealth accountable."

”Musharraf gave NROs to the 2 political leaders which quadrupled our debt and destroyed the economy, ” he said.

”There will be no more NROs,” he reiterated.

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Zulfi Bukhari sues Reham Khan in London over ‘defamatory’ tweet

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Special Assistant Zulfi Bukhari has sued PM Khan’s second former wife Reham Khan for defamation at the London High Court over allegations made in a tweet that Zulfi Bukhari had personal interest in the alleged sale of Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan.

The announcement that Zulfi Bukhari has taken legal action for libel at the Royal Court of Justice in London High Court was made by Reham Khan in a statement she released through her Twitter, asking the public for donations of up to £30,000 to fight the case.

Reham Khan posted a link, hosted by her son Sahir Khan, which gave some details of the case, focused only on the Roosevelt Hotel but this reporter has obtained details of the full case from London High Court which establishes that the defamation claim is wider in scope including several other Tweets and Retweets, making allegations of corruption.

The defamation claim relates to a broadcast by Reham Khan on 6th December 2019 on Youtube in an online livestream regarding the possible sale of the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan. The hotel is owned by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and considered one of the nation’s finest national assets.

Reham Khan tweeted on 6 December 2019 that Pakistan’s national assets were being sold to help people like Zulfi Bukhari and Aneel Musarrat and called it an act of “robbery”. A link to a youtube commentary was also given in the tweet. Both the tweet and the youtube link were deleted before the court action started, it’s understood.

Appealing for the support, Reham Khan’s son wrote that “this is going to be a case of critical importance for freedom of expression on matters of demonstrable public interest, Reham Khan simply discussed the matter while demanding transparency over important decisions regarding its administration’ and “this libel case is an attack on freedom of speech and the rights of Pakistanis. Reham Khan has nothing to gain by speaking out about the Roosevelt Hotel but was affected by the series of events, as all patriotic Pakistanis would be. We must fight against tactical suppression of such voices.”

Zulfi Bukhari was not available to comment. However, the court papers show that the case is of quite serious nature. Zulfi Bukhari is seeking an apology, retraction of allegations and damages from Reham Khan.

In the claim papers filed around two months ago, the PM’s advisor alleged that Reham Khan “specifically” targeted him in reference to the sale of Roosevelt Hotel. Zulfi, whose name appears in court papers as Sayed Zulfi Bukhari, has claimed that he was defamed and his reputation was harmed as a result of the Roosevelt tweet and other Tweets and Retweets.

There were five members in the advisory committee (including Razak Dawood) who were tasked to look into the Roosevelt Hotel future. Zulfi’s lawyer had claimed that only their client maligned, singled out and allegations of corruption and favourtism were made, allegedly, by Reham Khan as if the govt wanted to favour him through the hotel sale.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) govt had set up a committee which was only advisory in nature and was set up to explore all options for the national loss making entity. The same committee was dissolved, after making recommendations on hiring a financial advisor and how to look at various financial models to run the hotel, and the matter was referred back to the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP).

A spokesman at the London High Court said that the formal trial will take place after about eight months. Reham Khan is represented by Hamlins law firm and Zulfi is being represented by a defamation law specialist firm. Reham Khan has denied all allegations and she has announced to fight the claim.

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UNSC rejected United States bid to reimpose international sanctions on Iran

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday rejected United States bid to reimpose international sanctions on Iran, saying that it was "not in a position to take further action".

The remarks came from Indonesian ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani in a video conference on the Middle East, he cited the lack of consensus in the UN's highest body on the US strategy as the main reason.

The Trump administration accuses Tehran of failing to comply with the terms of the historic 2015 Iran nuclear deal and is demanding the Security Council reimpose sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Washington insists on its legal right to trigger the disputed procedure, called "snapback" — despite pulling out of the deal two years ago.

The move threatens to torpedo the Iran accord and plunge the Council into crisis while widening the gulf between the US and almost every other member on Iran policy.

Thirteen of the 15 Council members had written to the Indonesian presidency to reject its validity.

The US "is alone" in their approach, and "their ultimate goal is to destroy the nuclear agreement when they have already imposed (national) sanctions on Iran," one diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity told AFP.

Another said that, with the sound rejection of the US bid by almost the entire Council, "normally the matter is closed."

The US did not see it that way.

"We reminded members of our right under Resolution 2231 to trigger snapback, and our firm intent to do so in the absence of courage and moral clarity by the Council," stated US ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft.

'Completely inadmissible'

Washington has previously accused Council members of "siding with the ayatollahs."

The move, never before used, comes after the US suffered a humiliating defeat at the Security Council earlier this month when it failed to muster support for a resolution to extend a conventional arms embargo on Iran.

According to the 2015 agreement, in which sanctions against Iran were lifted in exchange for it agreeing not to develop nuclear weapons, a notification that Tehran has broken its promise must in principle be followed by a draft resolution by the presidency of the Security Council.

The exclusion of this option by Indonesia was welcomed Tuesday by the majority of Council members.

According to diplomats, Washington could go so far as to table its own draft resolution, opening the way for even more confusion.

In this case, said one ambassador, opponents in the Council could go as far as abstaining from the vote.

In a statement Tuesday evening, the Iranian mission to the UN welcomed the council's rejection of the US move.

Iran said the US request, "including all references therein, are null and void, have no legal standing and effect and are thus completely inadmissible."

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UNSC rejected United States bid to reimpose international sanctions on Iran

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday rejected United States bid to reimpose international sanctions on Iran, saying that it was "not in a position to take further action".

The remarks came from Indonesian ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani in a video conference on the Middle East, he cited the lack of consensus in the UN's highest body on the US strategy as the main reason.

The Trump administration accuses Tehran of failing to comply with the terms of the historic 2015 Iran nuclear deal and is demanding the Security Council reimpose sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Washington insists on its legal right to trigger the disputed procedure, called "snapback" — despite pulling out of the deal two years ago.

The move threatens to torpedo the Iran accord and plunge the Council into crisis while widening the gulf between the US and almost every other member on Iran policy.

Thirteen of the 15 Council members had written to the Indonesian presidency to reject its validity.

The US "is alone" in their approach, and "their ultimate goal is to destroy the nuclear agreement when they have already imposed (national) sanctions on Iran," one diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity told AFP.

Another said that, with the sound rejection of the US bid by almost the entire Council, "normally the matter is closed."

The US did not see it that way.

"We reminded members of our right under Resolution 2231 to trigger snapback, and our firm intent to do so in the absence of courage and moral clarity by the Council," stated US ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft.

'Completely inadmissible'

Washington has previously accused Council members of "siding with the ayatollahs."

The move, never before used, comes after the US suffered a humiliating defeat at the Security Council earlier this month when it failed to muster support for a resolution to extend a conventional arms embargo on Iran.

According to the 2015 agreement, in which sanctions against Iran were lifted in exchange for it agreeing not to develop nuclear weapons, a notification that Tehran has broken its promise must in principle be followed by a draft resolution by the presidency of the Security Council.

The exclusion of this option by Indonesia was welcomed Tuesday by the majority of Council members.

According to diplomats, Washington could go so far as to table its own draft resolution, opening the way for even more confusion.

In this case, said one ambassador, opponents in the Council could go as far as abstaining from the vote.

In a statement Tuesday evening, the Iranian mission to the UN welcomed the council's rejection of the US move.

Iran said the US request, "including all references therein, are null and void, have no legal standing and effect and are thus completely inadmissible."

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Anderson becomes the first pacer to take 600 test wickets

England’s James Anderson becomes the first-ever pacer to take 600 wickets in Test cricket.

The right-arm pacer bagged Pakistani skipper Azhar Ali on the last day of third Test to complete his 600 Test wickets, becoming the fourth bowler to achieve this milestone after Anil Kumble (India), Shane Warne (Australia), and Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka).

According to England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Anderson took highest Test wickets against India which are 110. He took 104 wickets against Australia, 93 against South Africa, 87 against West Indies, 74 against Pakistan, 60 against New Zealand, 52 against Sri Lanka, 11 against Zimbabwe and 9 against Bangladesh.

The 38-years-old bowler made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in 2003. Since then he went onto becoming England’s prominent bowler in Test cricket. He so far played 155 Tests for his country.

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England defeated Pakistan after 10 years in a Test series

Pakistan were 187-4, 123 runs behind England’s 583-8(d) when umpires called for stumps on last day of the third Test.

With winning the first Test, England won the series 1-0, defeating Pakistan after 10 years in a Test series.

Resuming day 5 at 100-2, Pakistan lost their skipper Azhar Ali earlier off James Anderson who completed his 600 Test wickets. He scored 31 runs before edging a ball behind the stumps off Anderson.

Babar Azam rescued the green shirts by scoring his 15th Test century. He added 63 runs alongside Asad Shafiq who once again failed to gain his form and got out for just 21.

Babar remained not out for 63 off 92 balls laced with 8 boundaries.

Earlier, England enforced the follow-on after Pakistan fell for 273, 310 runs behind of 583-8. Resuming follow-on on day 4, Pakistan were off to a good start with Shan Masood and Abid Ali but they couldn’t continue for long. They scored 49 runs together before Shan Masood fell to Suart Broad. Masood scored 18 runs.

Abid and Azhar carried the inning well for Pakistan as they scored 39 runs together. Abid fell prey to Anderson who reached 599 Test wickets and had to wait a day more to complete 600 due to bad weather stopped the play.

For England, Zak Crawley (267) and Jos Buttler (152) dominated and took their team to a strong total. They scored fifth-highest fifth-wicket partnership of 359 runs.

Mohammad Rizwan got man-of-the-series award for scoring 161 runs and 6 dismissals behind the stumps.

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Corona cases in Pakistan rose to 293,711, recovery rate rose to 278,425

The number of confirmed Corona cases in Pakistan rose to 293,711 on Tuesday after new infections were confirmed in the country.

Total: 293,711

• Sindh: 128,456

• Punjab: 96,391

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 35,796

• Balochistan: 12,560

• Islamabad Capital Territory: 15,531

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 2,720

• AJK: 2,257

Deaths: 6,255

• Punjab: 2,192

• Sindh: 2,373

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 1,248

• Balochistan: 141

• Islamabad Capital Territory: 175

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 65

• AJK: 61

RECOVERED: 278,425

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